break-in

noun

Synonyms of break-innext
1
: the act or action of breaking in
a rash of break-ins at the new apartment house
2
: a performance or a series of performances serving as a trial run
3
: an initial period of operation during which working parts begin to function efficiently

Examples of break-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, investigators said the suspect continued his crime spree in Mashpee where police got a call about a break-in at a home on Wheeler Road on June 1. Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 6 June 2026 Do it right the first time with the slim, suede-and-leather Kallen sneakers, which one shopper insists have no break-in period. Annie Blackman, InStyle, 6 June 2026 Liberty police are investigating a break-in at a trading-card store in which investigators said high-end and rare sports cards were stolen early Monday morning. Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026 Only Kisakye has been charged in connection to the break-in. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for break-in

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of break-in was in 1807

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break-in. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

break-in

1 of 2 noun
ˈbrā-ˌkin
: an act or instance of breaking in

break in

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)brā-ˈkin
1
: to enter a house or building by force
2
a
: to make used to an activity
breaking in a new employee
b
: to overcome the newness or stiffness of
breaking in a new pair of shoes

Legal Definition

break-in

1 of 2 noun
ˈbrāk-ˌin
: the act or action of breaking in

break in

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to enter something (as a building or computer system) without privilege (as consent) or by force

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